Capturing the Ocean’s Power: A Surfer’s Perspective
As a surfer, the ocean’s always been my second home, so naturally, photographing it felt like a no-brainer. Something about the excitement I feel at the ocean with a camera in hand is hard to explain, like a stoked grom frothing to surf two-foot waves. Whether standing on the shore or floating in the lineup, I’m always chasing that perfect shot. It depends on the spot and what I’m focusing on—sometimes, I’ll start on land and dive in to get up close, mixing it up to capture different angles and tell the whole story.
You can sit on the beach for hours, just watching them roll in.
As much as I love shooting surfers or wildlife, the ocean itself—especially the waves- gets me stoked. There’s something about a wave's sheer power and beauty that never gets old. No two waves are the same, and I think that’s what pulls people in. You can sit on the beach for hours, just watching them roll in, feeling the energy, hearing the roar—it’s like the ocean speaks its language.
But this raw, thrilling, and dangerous power comes with all that beauty. It’s that unpredictability that makes the ocean so fascinating to shoot. Every time I paddle out, especially on those massive winter days at places like Mavericks, I know I’m playing with something bigger than myself. That’s the magic of it, though—every session and shot feels like a gift. I never take it for granted.
A hairy situation at Maverick's.
And that’s the thing about photographing the ocean—it’s never predictable. One day, it’s calm and glassy; the next, it’s wild and chaotic. That constant change keeps me coming back. I’m always on my toes, waiting for that next incredible moment to unfold. Sometimes, it’s a perfect barreling wave; other times, it’s the way the sunlight hits the water at sunset. Those are the moments I live for, which remind me why I fell in love with both surfing and photography in the first place.
Respect for something bigger than ourselves.
It’s not just about capturing the ocean’s beauty—it’s about sharing that feeling of awe and respect for something bigger than ourselves. Through my lens, I hope people can feel a little bit of the magic that the ocean has on all of us. Whether you’re a surfer, a photographer, or just someone who loves the beach, the sea reminds us how powerful and beautiful the world is.
